by International Union for the Conservation of Nature Global Islands Partnership at Marine Protected Areas Congress in Marseille, France
Photocap: Presenting the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area to the Bright Spot Panel and Attendees
Nature Foundation Staff in the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area Mauricio Handler Photo/ NPL)
The Global Islands Partnership and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the European Overseas Program have recognized the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area as an Island Bright Spot, citing the park and the Nature Foundation as Championing the Global Aichi Targets and the key role of Islands as bright spots for marine biodiversity conservation.
Aichi Targets have been set forth through the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) that address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society through reducing the direct pressures on biodiversity and the promoting of sustainable use. The Man of War Shoal Protected area was chosen based on demonstrated measurable success in advancing conservation of island marine biodiversity. A presentation was given on the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area, the Nature Foundation and Government’s steps towards the establishment of the County’s first protected area during the International Marine Protected Area’s Congress in Marseille France.
The St. Maarten Nature Foundation recently attended the International Marine Protected Areas Congress where the organization held significant discussions with regards to St. Maarten’s steps towards the establishment of a Marine Protected Area and the subsequent development and management of the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area.
Despite being severely understaffed and underfunded and faced with issues related to poaching, climate change and coastal development, the Nature Foundation and the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area was able to show measured success since its establishment on the 30th of December 201o. Travel and accommodation for the Nature Foundation to the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas Congress was made possible through the support of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and the World Wildlife Fund.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to express its grave concern over an article written by Bibi Hodge Shaw and carried in the St Maarten News Network (SMN News) which has sought to discredit the Consul General of Guyana to Barbados Mr Michael Brotherson. The Ministry wishes to inform that in the absence of a consular representative in St Maarten, Mr Brotherson was authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana to travel to St Maarten to attend to the consular needs of the Guyanese community there. This visit was made only after the necessary protocols were followed between the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Guyana and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of St Maarten.
In the article, Bibi Hodge Shaw has maligned the characters of the public servants of Guyana and St Maarten and has made unfortunate accusations that are totally unfounded.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to advise that all consular fees, as fixed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, were processed in accordance with the financial regulations of the Government of Guyana, with the required Government receipts issued. All such revenue is remitted to the Government of Guyana Consolidated Fund.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further wishes to advise that in a separate communication, Bibi Hodge Shaw has been cautioned that any further articles with similar content and which carry false and damaging information, will result in legal action being taken against her.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that in an effort to strengthen the relations between Guyana and St Maarten and to better serve the Guyanese community, a request was made to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for its approval for the appointment of a consular representative to be accredited in St Maarten. The Ministry is awaiting a response to this request.